The three US states most at risk of obesity-linked cancer deaths have been detailed in a study published over the weekend.
Cancer, especially colon cancer, has seemingly been on the rise in younger people for the past few years, and research is going into uncovering why this worrying trend is happening.
While some cancers are linked to family history, there's no doubt lifestyle choices can also have an impact.
Research presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco on Sunday (July 13) detailed that cancer deaths linked to obesity have tripled in the US over the past 20 years.
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The study, which included more than 33,000 deaths from obesity related cancers between 1999 and 2020, also detailed the US states who have the highest mortality rates.
Lead researcher Faizan Ahmed, M.D., of Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, said: "Obesity is a significant risk factor for multiple cancers, contributing to significant mortality.
"This research underscores the need for targeted public health strategies such as early screening and improved access to care, especially in high-risk rural and underserved areas."
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Midwestern states saw the highest number of people dying from obesity-linked deaths, and it's the northeast of the country that recorded the lowest number of casualties.
It was Vermont, Minnesota and Oklahoma that formed the top three US states most at risk, while Utah, Alabama and Virginia were at the opposite site of the spectrum.
The study uncovered that deaths from obesity-associated cancers were more likely to affect women than men. Meanwhile, Black Americans had the highest mortality rate from the disease, followed by American Indians and then whites.
People aged over 65 were more at risk, as were those who lived in rural as opposed to urban areas.
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A whopping 40.3 percent of adults in the US are obese according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Obesity is associated with a higher risk of developing 13 types of cancer, including colon cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in America and third most common cancer diagnosis.
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According to the American Cancer Society, in 2025 there will be 107,320 new cases of colon cancer, 46,950 cases of rectal cancer and 52,900 people will die from both diseases combined.
Symptoms of colon cancer include blood in your poo, tummy pain, unexplained weight loss and bloating.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
Callum Jones